-- 13 Famous People I Would Like to Have Dinner With (Not all at the same time!!) --

1. Matthew MacFadyen. Besides being a hunky actor with a sexy accent, I’ve enjoyed watching his movies and TV work - and would LOVE to get out to London to see him in a play.  I've also read  several interviews he has given. I think there is some deep introspection there which would make for excellent conversation, and he has one of those personalities (from what I can deduce from his public persona) that is easy going, humble and fun. He seems like someone with a great sense of humor and a unique view on life.  So, Matthew, if you’re reading this, feel free to email me and we can set up a time/place for dinner

2. Jane Austen. How fascinating to talk to another woman writer, and one who blazed the trail for the freedoms of my profession that I enjoy today! I’m sure she would be interested, and most likely surprised by the effect she has had on all of us.

3. Johnny Cash. A legend in the music world, but also a rebel in his own time and a down to earth person. He would probably have some great stories to tell!

4. Sherrilyn Kenyon. I’ve met Sherrilyn when she came to speak at Desert Rose last year, when we both spoke at the Southern Magic RWA conference earlier this year and at Nationals a few years ago. But I think to be able to sit down and chat with her one on one would be fascinating. She’s a sweet lady and has thrived in this business by building a fan base one reader at a time—including me! I LOVE the Dark Hunter novels!

5. William Shakespeare. I think he would be a hoot to have dinner with. He was quite the saucy guy in his day, and a fellow author, although I somehow don’t think my books will be as widely remembered as his...LOL!

6. Sir Anthony Hopkins. I’ve loved his movies and I’ve always enjoyed interviews he has given. He has that soft gentlemen’s quality, but you can tell there is a fascinating man behind that polite façade!

7. Princess Diana. What a tough transition it must’ve been to suddenly have to conform to all the restrictions of royalty. I can’t even imagine being in her shoes, but she would have some fascinating insights to share.

8. Mel Brooks. I love his movies and have passed on that love to my son. I’ve seen several interviews with Mel and he strikes me as someone I could talk to for hours.

9. Franklin Roosevelt. He was such a pivotal figure in history, I would love to pick his brain and hear the history of that time through his perspective.

10. Garth Brooks & Tricia Yearwood. Love both their music, and I think it would be fascinating to hear about their struggle to make it in the tough music biz.

11. Jon Stewart. The host of the Daily show, which is a political satire talk show, for those of you who aren’t familiar. He’s a riot, but he meets so many political figures, celebrities etc, again—he has to have some great stories. And you know he would have a great sense of humor.

12. Margaret Thatcher. The first and to date only female British Prime Minister. I’d love to talk to her about being a woman in a traditionally male role (at that time.) Her challenges, her triumphs and who she really wanted to tell off...LOL!

13. Ron Howard. I’d love to hear about his experience as a director. He’s done some powerful movies and has met some fascinating people.

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-- 13 Places I Would Like to Live (If for some reason I couldn’t live in Phoenix anymore—which I love!) --

1. London. I’ve always been fascinated by the history, the culture, everything. I think it would be a great place to live.

2. Ireland. Something about Ireland has always called to me. The rolling hillsides, the rich lush history, the mythology, everything. Would definitely be a great place to try out.

3. Scotland. Same reasons as Ireland above.

4. Sedona, Arizona. Not sure how well I would do living there full time, but I love visiting Sedona. There’s just a wonderful energy in the air there and the scenery just takes your breath away.

5. Port Townsend, WA. I went on a vacation there with my best friend from college two years ago and I fell in love with this little town. I could definitely see myself buying the Bartlett house (an historic house that overlooks the ocean) and writing out on that back closed in patio or up on the second floor!

6. Ohio. A lot of my family still lives there and I was born in Dayton. I’m not so sure I could survive the winters, but the rest of the year is beautiful there and it would be nice to be closer to the family I have still out there and the writing friends I know who live out there.

7. New Orleans. Hurricanes withstanding, I think it would be fascinating to live in the French Quarter for a while. I just went to a conference there a few weeks ago and it’s like stepping into an entirely different culture. Almost stepping back in time in a way.

8. New York City. This probably would’ve been a better choice when I was single and before the kidlet. But I think if I were in a different time in my life, it would be fascinating to live in New York with all the hustle and bustle.

9. San Diego. Every time I visit San Diego, I always think what an interesting place it would be to live—especially near the ocean 

10. San Francisco. I LOVE SF. Not sure how it would be to live there, other than expensive, but it seems like it would definitely be interesting. 

11. Alaska. I have never been there, but for some reason, I think it would be an interesting place to live. My hubby lived there for a while when he was much younger, but he doesn’t remember much about it. I really want to do an Alaskan cruise some time!

12. Boston. I haven’t been here either, but every time I see a movie or a TV show or read a book set here, I’m always fascinated by the history and the feel of Boston.

13. Australia. Again, never visited, but I think it would be a FUN place to live and with such a different culture than I’m used to.

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-- 13 Of My Favorite Movies (Lately…because they do change…LOL!) --

1. Pride & Prejudice – the one with Kiera Knightly and Matthew MacFadyen – YUM!

2. Music & Lyrics with Hugh Grant & Drew Barrymore

3. Dresden Files on DVD. While not technically a movie – I was REALLY bummed when they canceled this! So, I had to rent and will eventually buy the whole set.

4. The Fifth Element with Bruce Willis

5. Independence Day with Will Smith and Bill Pullman – an oldie but a goodie

6. Sense & Sensibility with Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant and Alan Rickman

7. The Lake House with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock

8. The Chronicles of Riddick with Vin Diesel

9. While You Were Sleeping with Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman

10. Pirates of the Caribbean, the Curse of the Black Pearl

11. Love Actually with tons of my favorite actors

12. The American President with Annette Benning and Michael Douglas

13. Any of the Indiana Jones series with Harrison Ford

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